Removable tailpipe connection

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for freeing the tube of a muffler body from a tailpipe that has an end point normally positioned inside the tube at a predetermined location along the axis of the tube. The preferred form of the apparatus comprises means for structurally weakening the tube along a line located in the tube. The line has a first portion that extends toward the body of the muffler and a second portion that extends around at least half the circumference of the tube at a position adjacent the predetermined location. Means are also provided for separating the tube along the line, so that the tailpipe may be conveniently removed from the tube.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Anthony J. Todavich Puposky, Minn.56667 [21] Appl. No. 865,255

[22] Filed Oct. 10, 1969 [45] Patented Nov.9,1971

[54] REMOVABLE TAlLPlPE CONNECTION 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 1. 285/4, 181/72, 229/51, 285/39 [51] lnt.Cl ..F16125/00[50] Field of Search 285/4, 39, 18, 1 19; 181/72; 29/157,401; 220/27,54; 229/51 BP, 51 IS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,936,417 11/1933 Ware 229/51 18 2,051,923 8/1936 Vogt 229/51 18 UXPrimary Examiner-David .l. Willamowsky Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. SheddAttorney-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff ABSTRACT: Apparatus forfreeing the tube of a muffler body from a tailpipe that has an end pointnormally positioned inside the tube at a predetermined location alongthe axis of the tube. The preferred form of the apparatus comprisesmeans for structurally weakening the tube along a line located in thetube. The line has a first portion that extends toward the body of themuffler and a second portion that extends around at least half thecircumference of the tube at a position adjacent the predeterminedlocation. Means are also provided for separating the tube along theline, so that the tailpipe may be conveniently removed from the tube.

4 PAIENTEnHnv len 3.618.986

INV/iN'IUR. A/V THO/VY d TOOAV/CH vuijuBY v.7

ATTORNEYS REMOVABLE TAILPIPE CONNECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to mufflers and is more specifically related toapparatus for freeing a muffler from an attached tailpipe.

Automobile mechanics and all persons who have ever attempted to remove awornout muffler from an automobile recognize that the task of separatingthe muffler from the tailpipe of the vehicle is extremely difficult andtime-consuming. Typical automotive mufflers are provided with an inlettube that is fitted over a tailpipe connected to the vehicular engineand an exit tube that is fitted over another tailpipe extending to therear of the vehicle. In order to replace a womout muffler, each of thesetailpipes must be disconnected from its respective muffler tube. If themuffler and tailpipe have been used for any substantial period of time,they are normally corroded by the vapors emitted from the vehicleengine. As a result, the tailpipes and tubes are generally fusedtogether.

In order to disconnect the tubes and tailpipes, automobile mechanicsconventionally employ a pneumatic chisel that splits one of the mufflertubes in several places in order to free its associated tailpipe. Whenthe tube has been partially freed in the foregoing manner, it isnormally pounded with a hammer in order to completely disconnect it fromthe tailpipe. Naturally, the foregoing procedure requires considerabletime and physical strength on the part of the mechanic. Moreover, byusing this procedure, it is difficult if not impossible to remove themuffler without severely damaging the tailpipe. As a result, a womoutmuffler frequently necessitates the replacement of a tailpipe as well.When the muffler is freed from one of its tailpipes, it is generallyrotated and twisted to free it from the other tailpipe. This process isalso difficult and requires considerable strength on the part of themechanic.

Various methods designed to facilitate the disconnection of a mufflerfrom its associated tailpipes have been attempted in the past, but eachhas exhibited deficiencies that have limited its overall usefulness. Forexample, one prior art method described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,566(Scott July 19, 1949) suggests the use of a grooved strip that isinserted between a muffler tube and tailpipe. The grooved strip is thenrolled toward the muffler, thereby tearing away a portion of the mufflertube. This approach requires a number of parts that are relativelydifficult to assemble, and does not completely free the muffler tubefrom its tailpipe.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved apparatus for disconnecting a muffler tube and an associatedtailpipe.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide suchapparatus whereby the muffler tube and tailpipe can be completelydisconnected without the use of expensive tools or additional mufflerparts.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mufflertube that is structurally weakened along a line which is shaped so thatthe muffler tube and tailpipe may be completely separated by merelysevering the tube along the line.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide improved meansfor facilitating the separation of a muffler tube along an indentationline located on a surface of the tube, said means being formed so thatit may be fabricated as an integral part of the tube.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide improvedapparatus for removing a muffler from a tailpipe in which a mechanicneeds to use his hands on only one side of the muffler, thereby allowingthe muffler to be removed without interference from adjacent vehicularparts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the foregoing objects,advantages, and features, the present invention, in principal aspect,comprises improved apparatus for freeing the tube of a muffler from atailpipe that has an end point normally positioned inside the tube at apredetermined location along the axis of the tube.

The improved apparatus preferably comprises means for structurallyweakening the tube along a line having a first portion that extendstoward the body of the muffler and a second portion that extends aroundat least half the circumference of the tube at a position adjacent theend point of the tailpipe (i.e., at a position adjacent thepredetermined location). The improved apparatus also comprises meansconnected to the tube, such as a tab, for facilitating the separation ofthe tube along the line.

The advantages of the above-described apparatus are at once apparent. Bymerely pulling the tab, the muffler tube can be separated along theline, thereby disconnecting a large portion of the tube from thetailpipe. Since the line extends around at least half the circumferenceof the tube, the tailpipe may then be easily removed by merely pushingor pulling it away from the unsevered portion of the tube. Thisprocedure requires relatively little energy, and may be achieved withoutany damage to the tailpipe.

According to another feature of the invention, the tab may be providedwith a hole that will accept a rodlike tool. The tool can be used togive a mechanic additional leverage for separating the tube along theline.

By properly placing the tab and the line in relationship to a vehicleconnected to the muffler, the entire severing operation may be carriedout on the side of the muffler away from the vehicle, so that themechanic's work will not be impeded by the close proximity of thechassis and muffler. By using the described apparatus, a mechanic mayconveniently remove a tailpipe from a muffler in a matter of secondswithout the use of expensive tools and without damaging the tailpipe. Asa result, mufi'ler removal can be safely achieved with a degree ofconvenience and ease heretofore unattainable. DESCRIP- TION OF THEDRAWING These and other objects, advantages, and features of the presentinvention will hereinafter appear for purposes of illustration, but notof limitation, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in whichlike numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective, fragmentary, view of a preferred form of thepresent invention shown in relationship to a tailpipe, a portion of avehicle chassis, and an exemplary rodlike tool used in connectiontherewith;

FIG. 2 is a top plan, fragmentary view of the preferred form of theinvention shown in FIG. I with the tailpipe removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan, fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG. Iwith the tube thereof partially separated along the indentation line;

FIG. 4 is a top plan, fragmentary view of another form of apparatus madein accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, front elevational, fragmentary view showing themanner in which the tab portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 may beused.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, thepreferred form of the present invention is generally used in connectionwith a conventional vehicular muffler 8 that comprises a metal bodyportion 10, a rear wall 12, and a hollow, metal, exit tube 14. Themuffler body also terminates in a front wall and a hollow inlet tube(not shown) that is connected through a tailpipe to an internalcombustion engine. The body of the muffler contains baffles andinsulation that reduce the level of sound emitted by the engine in awell-known manner.

Exit tube 14 comprises a first end 16 that is connected to wall 12 and asecond end I8 that is displaced from the muffler body.

A metal tailpipe 20 having an end point 22 is located inside exit tube14 in the position shown along the axis 23 of the tube.

The preferred form of the present invention used in connection with theabove-described apparatus basically comprises depressions 24, 25, adiscontinuous indentation line 26 that is formed on the outer surface oftube 14, and a tab 32 that provides a means for facilitating theseparation of the tube along the indentation line.

More specifically, indentation line 26 comprises a means forstructurally weakening tube 14 so that the tube may be easily separatedalong the line. Of course, means other than an indentation line may beused to achieve the same purpose. For example, the tube may be formedfrom separate parts that are spot welded along the desired line.Indentation line 26 comprises a first portion 28 that extends betweenpoints A and B on the outer surface of tube 14, and a second portion 30that extends between points B and C on the outer surface of tube 14. Thesecond portion of the indentation line is preferably located between theend 22 of tailpipe and the body of muffler in an area of the tubebounded by end 22 of tailpipe 20 and the body of muffler 8-. Depressions24, 25 are stamped into tube 14 in order to prevent end point 22 oftailpipe 20 from extending into the tube beyond the second portion ofline 26. Of course, other means may be employed to position thetailpipe, as long as end point 22 does not extend beyond portion to anysubstantial extent. It should also be noted that the second portion ofthe indentation line must extend around at least half the circumferenceof the tube in order to adequately free the tailpipe. The indentationline may be formed by merely stamping spaced impressions into thesurface of the tube to an appropriate depth. The optimum depth dependson the thickness of the tube and the type of material from which it isfabricated.

Tab 32 comprises a suitable piece of metal that defines an orifice 34adapted to accept a rodlike tool 36 having a handle 38. As shown in FIG.2, the tab is connected at end 18 of the tube adjacent the first portionof the indentation line.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tab is arranged on the portion of the tubeadjacent an exemplary underpanel of a vehicular chassis 39. Moreover,the second portion of the indentation line is substantially located onthe portion of the tube opposite the vehicular chassis.

In order to remove muffler 8 from tailpipe 20, tool 36 is inserted inorifice 34 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the tool is turnedin a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. I) so that the tubeis separated along indentation line 26 in the manner shown in FIG. 3.The tool is normally turned around the tube until the entire first andsecond portions of the indentation line have been separated from thetube (i.e., until the tube has been separated around at least half itscircumference). As the tool is turned, the portion of the tube remainingattached to the tailpipe (generally indicated by the number 31)stabilizes the tube and prevents it from turning.

Thereafter, the tailpipe 20 may be easily removed by merely pushing orpulling it in a direction away from chassis 39. By arranging theindentation line and tab as shown, the handle of tool 36, as well as themechanics hand, are always located on the side of the tube opposite thevehicle chassis. As a result, there is little or no danger that theremoval of the muffier will be interfered with by adjacent parts of thevehicle. As previously explained, the entire portion of the mufilerconnected to tailpipe 20 may be removed in a matter of seconds by theuse of the apparatus described herein.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Asshown in the drawing, this embodiment of the invention comprises acontinuous indentation line 40 that is located on the inner surface 41of a tube 14 that is made from any suitable material. More specifically,indentation line 40 comprises a first portion 42 that extends from pointD to point E, and a second portion 44 that extends from point E to pointF. The relative positions of indentation line 40 and a tailpipe fittedinside tube 14 are the same as the analogous relationship described inconnection with FIGS. 1-3. The depth to which line 40 is impressed insurface 41 depends on the thickness and composition of tube 14.

In the second embodiment the invention, tube 14 comprises a tab portion46 that defines an orifice 48. The tab portion is inte rally formed withthe tube and is further defined by a slot 50 t at IS stamped through thetube in the position shown. It

should be noted that tube 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) can be entirely formed froma single piece of material by inexpensive stamping processes, therebyinsuring an economical method of manufacture.

In order to remove a tailpipe inserted in the tube shown in FIGS. 4 and5, a screwdriver, chisel, or like implement is inserted between the tubeand tailpipe in order to raise tab portion 46 in the manner indicated inFIG. 5. Thereafter, a tool, such as tool 36, may be inserted in orifice48. The tube may then be separated along indentation line 40 in themanner previously described.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inlet tube of muffler8 may be fitted with apparatus analogous to the indentation lines andtabs shown in the drawing in order to remove the muffler from thetailpipe inserted therein. Moreover, the indentation line and tab may beplaced on the tailpipe in the event that it is fitted over the mufflertube. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the particularcmbodiments of the invention described herein may be altered andmodified in additional ways without departing from the true spirit andscope of the invention.

lclaim 1. In a muffler comprising a body and a hollow rigid tube havingone end connected to the body and a second end displaced therefrom,improved apparatus for freeing the tube from a tailpipe having an endpoint normally positioned inside the tube at a predetermined locationalong the axis of the tube, said apparatus comprising;

a line of structural weakening along the tube, said line having a firstportion that extends toward the body and a second portion that extendsaround at least half the circumference of the tube substantially in thearea of the tube bounded by the predetermined location and the mufflerbody; and second means securely connected to the tube for facilitatingthe separation of the tube along the first and second portions of theline, said second means comprising a tab connected to the second end ofthe tube adjacent the first portion of the line, said tabdefining meansto which a tool may be connected to separate the tube along the line.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim I, wherein said tab is formed as anintegral part of said tube and wherein said tube defines a slot locatedadjacent said tab.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim I, and further comprising third meansforming a part of the tube for preventing the end point of said tailpipefrom extending into said tube beyond the second portion of said line, sothat the second portion of said line lies between the third means andsaid muffier body.

4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim I, wherein said second portionsubstantially lies in a single-plane perpendicular to said axis.

1. In a muffler comprising a body and a hollow rigid tube having one endconnected to the body and a second end displaced therefrom, improvedapparatus for freeing the tube from a tailpipe having an end pointnormally positioned inside the tube at a predetermined location alongthe axis of the tube, said apparatus comprising; a line of structuralweakening along the tube, said line having a first portion that extendstoward the body and a second portion that extends around at least halfthe circumference of the tube substantially in the area of the tubebounded by the predetermined location and the muffler body; and secondmeans securely connected to the tube for facilitating the separation ofthe tube along the first and second portions of the line, said secondmeans comprising a tab connected to the second end of the tube adjacentthe first portion of the line, said tab-defining means to which a toolmay be connected to separate the tube along the line.
 2. Apparatus, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said tab is formed as an integral part ofsaid tube and wherein said tube defines a slot located adjacent saidtaB.
 3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising thirdmeans forming a part of the tube for preventing the end point of saidtailpipe from extending into said tube beyond the second portion of saidline, so that the second portion of said line lies between the thirdmeans and said muffler body.
 4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1,wherein said second portion substantially lies in a single-planeperpendicular to said axis.